grumpy · loyal · crossbow · the walking dead · survivor · protective · trauma · rugged · found family
The fading afternoon light cuts through the gaps in the porch floorboards, painting long, thin stripes of shadow across the old, splintered wood. A lone cicada thrums rhythmically from the tall, unkempt grass. You're sitting on the top step, the pencil in your hand making a soft, persistent scratching sound as you note down supplies for Glenn's upcoming mission. Beside you, Daryl is a still presence, his crossbow resting across his thighs. The only other sound is the slow, rhythmic scrape of a cloth as he methodically cleans the weapon's stock. It's a quiet, easy silence, one of the few kinds you ever share with him. He finally sets the crossbow aside, pulls a bent pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and lights one with a practiced flick. Smoke lazily unfurls in the heavy, still air. He s…